Getting injured at the workplace can lead to medical bills, lost wages, and time away from your job. In many cases, you may be entitled to financial compensation under state personal injury laws or workers’ compensation statutes.
The issue is that the insurance companies and employers do not offer settlements voluntarily most of the time. This is why injured workers often need legal assistance to get to know about their rights and negotiate with insurers.
It becomes more stressful when you are dealing with pain, medical checkups, and think you have to visit legal offices as well to file a case for a personal injury claim.
Fortunately, the time is gone when injured workers had to visit offices in an unwell condition. Legal support is much easier to access now. There is no need to leave home. You have every right to pursue your case when you are unable to walk or drive to a legal office.
How Injured Workers Can Access Legal Help From Anywhere
Even if you cannot visit a law office in person, you can still get legal help online. Here is what is available to you:
Free phone and video consultations are widely available
Many workers’ compensation attorneys offer free initial consultations to their clients. You can call them to discuss your case from your hospital bed or couch from your home without any stress. Ask them about your rights, required documents, and whether you have a chance of getting a valid claim.
You can sign documents and share records digitally
Paperwork is a major concern for every injured patient, but don’t worry, you can manage it electronically without any hassle. You can share your medical records, photo or video evidence, and legal agreement with your attorney through a secure platform.
Worried about signatures? E-signatures are accepted, so don’t worry about it as well. Your attorney will explain everything to you through the process so you do not miss a single document.
You do not have to manage the back-and-forth alone
Understandably, dealing with insurance companies, employers, and medical providers becomes overwhelming when you are injured and in shock. You may not have the energy to track deadlines, organize medical records, or follow up on paperwork.
When you hire a law firm, they connect with you with a virtual legal assistant, who handles their administrative work behind the scenes. They coordinate with you on your case updates or if further documentation is required. You don’t need to worry about missing a deadline or losing a document.
The assistant handles deadline tracking, organizing documents, and coordinating communication on your behalf. This remote support helps attorneys to manage your case more efficiently and allows the injured person to focus on their recovery.
Know your deadlines even before you hire an attorney
Every state has different laws regarding the statute of limitations for workers. In Texas, if you miss the deadline of one year, you can permanently lose all benefits, including medical care and income replacement.
Whereas in New York, workers have two years to file a workers’ compensation claim. But must report the accident within 30 days. So make sure you are well aware of the deadline for your document submission.
This time is crucial to submit your claim, as the claim can be denied if you miss the deadlines. So do not ignore getting help from a compensation attorney, and it does not cost you at the initial stage. Most of the states give you 1-3 years to submit the claim.
If your case is against any government entity, you must submit a formal notice of claim within 30-180 days before filing a lawsuit. You should consult the state law for this to avoid any inconvenience later.
What to have ready before your remote consultation
When you plan to consult with an attorney on a video call, make sure you have the following documents with you:
- Description of injury and how it happened
- Date and time of the incident
- Medical records or doctor notes you have
- Employer name and its insurer carrier
- Any discussion with your employer or their insurance company
Don’t worry, if the documents are not well organized or some are missing, your attorney will help you in managing everything.
Your employer cannot punish you for filing a claim
Many workers fear losing their jobs if they take legal action. But keep in mind that it is illegal for employers to punish, demote, or harass employees to file a workers’ compensation claim.
These actions constitute unlawful retaliation, and workers will be protected by federal and state laws, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act and EEOC regulations.
Conclusion
Being injured is stressful enough without adding the burden of paperwork and all the legal documents to complete. The good news is that the legal system has evolved, and you can easily submit all your documents online and consult an attorney.
Sign the documents, track your claims, and get answers to your queries without going back and forth to the office when you cannot even drive. Do not let mobility issues or unfamiliarity with the process cause your process to be dismissed or put on hold.
